Roads and bridges petition tabled

24 Jun 2014, 4:38 p.m.

A PETITION containing 20,817 signatures was tabled in the House of Representatives on Monday.

A PETITION containing 20,817 signatures calling on the Federal Government to restore a budgeted commitment of $11.4 million and to urgently address the national rural roads funding crisis, was tabled in the House of Representatives at 10am on Monday, June 23 by the chair of the Standing Committee on Petitions, Dr Dennis Jensen.

According to Greater Taree City councillor, and principal petitioner, Peter Epov the Manning Valley petition ranks in the top five petitions in terms of number of signatures presented to the House of Representatives since February 2008, when the Standing Committee on Petitions was established.

"It also appears to be the single largest number of signatures ever from a local government area on any issue," Cr Epov said.

The 20,817 signatures represent 70 per cent of all eligible voters of the GTCC local government area, he said.

Cr Peter Epov confirmed he has written to the Prime Minister seeking an urgent meeting to discuss and to present the concerns of the 20,817 people of the Greater Taree LGA, who have signed the petition.

The latest advice is that Mr Epov's letter has been considered by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and referred to the PM's parliamentary office in Canberra.